Central Management Module for Synchronizing Development and Production Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In modern computer systems, parallel changes made in development and production environments cannot be efficiently synchronized, leading to inconsistencies and potential overwriting of software, which can cause errors in production systems.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a central management module to control and synchronize changes between first and second computer systems, involving data input, execution, and reporting interfaces, to ensure timely propagation of updates from the development to the production server, with automatic testing and ranking of update tasks for efficient implementation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If changes are made in parallel in development and production systems, then development productivity is improved, but system consistency deteriorates and software overwriting occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevelopment productivityVSAvoidsystem consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A central management module is introduced as an intermediary between the development system and production system. This module receives change data from both systems, determines conflicts, and manages the resolution process, thereby enabling parallel development while maintaining system consistency through centralized coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where change data is automatically transported between systems, conflicts are detected and reported, and resolution status is communicated back to users. This feedback loop ensures that parallel changes are properly managed and system consistency is maintained throughout the process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If change synchronization is implemented between systems, then system consistency is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem consistencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Change data is automatically transported and preliminary conflict detection is performed before changes are fully implemented. The central management module proactively identifies potential conflicts and prepares resolution options in advance, reducing the time required for actual synchronization operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic self-service mechanisms where change data is automatically transported between systems, conflicts are automatically detected and analyzed, and resolution status is automatically communicated. This automation reduces manual intervention time and accelerates the overall synchronization process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual conflict resolution is used, then system control is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem controlVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The central management module serves as an intermediary that handles the complex tasks of conflict detection, analysis, and resolution coordination. Users interact with a simplified interface that presents pre-analyzed conflict information and resolution options, thereby maintaining ease of operation while managing operational complexity through the intermediary system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3018576B1A method for controlling changes in a computer system
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 SAP SE
  • EP3018576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3018576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3018576B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method for controlling changes in at least a first (101) and a second (103) computer system, the first computer system (101) comprising a first development server (105) that is connected to a production server (107), wherein the production server (107) comprises a first application (133) having a first configuration, wherein the first configuration comprises at least one of a first software and first hardware configuration, wherein the first development server (105) is configured to perform at least one of providing and modifying the first application (133) at the first development server (105) by generating a modified configuration from the first configuration, the second computer system (103) comprising a second development server (109) for upgrading the first application (133). The method comprises: providing a central management module (111) that is in communication with the first computer system (101) and the second computer system (103); providing an input data interface (113); configuring the first computer system (101) to communicate with the central management module (111) via the input data interface (113); receiving at the central management module (111) from the first computer system (101) via the input data interface (113) data indicative of a change in the first configuration, the change resulting in a second application having a second configuration, wherein the second configuration comprises at least one of a second software and second hardware configuration; processing by the central management module (111) the received data for determining at least one component of the second computer system (103) that are affected by the change; determining by the central management module (111) using the determined components at least one update task for implementing the change in the second computer system (103).